
He was the son of legendary country singer/actor Tex Ritter and his wife, actress Dorothy Fay
Dorothy Fay
Dorothy Fay was an American actress mainly known for her appearances in Western movies, including several with her husband-to-be Tex Ritter. She was the mother of John Ritter and paternal grandmother of Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter.
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Who is John Ritter's father?
Tex RitterJohn Ritter / FatherHis father, Tex Ritter, was a singing cowboy and matinee star, and his mother, Dorothy Fay (née Southworth), was an actress. He had an older brother, Thomas "Tom" Ritter. Ritter attended Hollywood High School, where he was student body president.
Who is John Ritter's mother?
Dorothy FayJohn Ritter / MotherDorothy Fay Ritter, the mother of the late actor John Ritter and a star of several B-movie westerns in the 1930's and 40's, died on Nov. 5. She was 88. Married to the singing cowboy Tex Ritter, she played opposite Buck Jones, William Elliott and other western stars.
Who was John Ritter related to?
Ritter was married to Nancy Morgan from 1977-1996. They had three children: Jason, Tyler and Carly. He married actress Amy Yasbeck in 1999, with whom he had his fourth child, Noah, in 1998.
How is John Ritter related to Tex Ritter?
Jonathan Southworth Ritter was born in Burbank, California, on September 17, 1948. He was the son of legendary country singer/actor Tex Ritter and his wife, actress Dorothy Fay.
Is Dorothy Faye still alive?
November 5, 2003Dorothy Fay / Date of death
Why is Jason Ritter in a wheelchair?
The wheelchair is real, but Ritter doesn't need it. The producers explained they cast a fully abled actor in the role so that they could do flashbacks to the time before the character's accident. Q.
What caused John Ritters aortic dissection?
TRIGGERS: Lifestyle and trauma can trigger aortic aneurysm and/or dissection. It is possible to trigger an aortic dissection through injury to the chest, extreme straining associated with body building, illicit drug abuse, poorly controlled high blood pressure or by discontinuing necessary blood pressure medications.
Is Jason Ritter paralyzed?
Jason Ritter, the son of the deceased actor John Ritter, turns in superb performances, but he has appeared in other series and is not disabled.
What is the meaning of Ritter?
knightDefinition of ritter : knight specifically : a member of one of the lowest orders of German or Austrian nobility.
What is Jason Ritters net worth?
Jason Ritter net worth: Jason Ritter is an American actor who has a net worth of $6 million dollars....Jason Ritter Net Worth.Net Worth:$6 MillionDate of Birth:Feb 17, 1980 (42 years old)Gender:MaleHeight:5 ft 8 in (1.75 m)Profession:Actor, Film Producer, Voice Actor1 more row
What caused John Ritter's death?
Aortic dissectionJohn Ritter / Cause of deathSept. 12, 2003 -- Popular TV and movie star John Ritter has died from an undetected flaw in his heart called an aortic dissection. Ritter came to fame in the 1970s TV program "Three's Company" and was experiencing a resurgence in his career with the TV comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." He was 54.
What show was John Ritter filming when he died?
He was pronounced dead later that night, six days before his 55th birthday. Ritter had filmed the first three episodes of Season 2 of 8 Simple Rules, with his final episode airing a month after his death. His character Paul was killed off on the show and the rest of the season dealt with the fall out of his death.
What caused John Ritters aortic dissection?
TRIGGERS: Lifestyle and trauma can trigger aortic aneurysm and/or dissection. It is possible to trigger an aortic dissection through injury to the chest, extreme straining associated with body building, illicit drug abuse, poorly controlled high blood pressure or by discontinuing necessary blood pressure medications.
Who is Jason Ritter's mother?
Nancy MorganJason Ritter / MotherRitter was born on February 17, 1980 in Los Angeles, California to actors Nancy Morgan and John Ritter. He is the grandson of actors Tex Ritter (who died six years before Ritter was born) and Dorothy Fay.
Who was John Ritter's wife when he died?
Amy YasbeckBornAmy Marie Yasbeck September 12, 1962 Blue Ash, Ohio, U.S.OccupationActressYears active1985–2016, 2020–presentSpouse(s)John Ritter ( m. 1999; died 2003)2 more rows
What caused John Ritter's death?
Aortic dissectionJohn Ritter / Cause of deathSept. 12, 2003 -- Popular TV and movie star John Ritter has died from an undetected flaw in his heart called an aortic dissection. Ritter came to fame in the 1970s TV program "Three's Company" and was experiencing a resurgence in his career with the TV comedy "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter." He was 54.
Where was Ritter born?
Ritter was raised in Burbank, California and was born American As both of his parents were actors, he grew up as an amidst showbiz. He first appeared on TV as a contestant on “The Dating Game”. Then, he joined an acting class and traveled to Holland, Scotland, Germany, and England to act in plays while still being in college.
Who is John Ritter?
John Ritter was an American actor and comedian. Ritter reprised the role on the spin-off Three’s a crowd and has also appeared in over 100 films and television series.
How did Ritter die?
At the age of 54, he died later that evening of an Aortic Dissection.
What episode of sitcom did John Ritter have testicles?
There was a big rumor about John Ritter. In one of John Ritter’s performances, a viewer alerted nickelodeon that Ritter’s testicles could be clearly seen in a 17-year old episode of ‘Sitcom’. Although Nickelodeon could not identify the specific episode. Other accounts identified it as part of the final-season episode “The Charming Stranger”. Nickelodeon confirmed this scene.
How tall is Ritter?
Ritter’s weight is about 220 Ibs (100 kg). His height is 5’11” (1.8m). His hair color is dark brown and his eye color is blue. His shoe size is 10 (US).
Who is Tyler Ritter's father?
He was the son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and was the father of actors Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter. His mother’s name was Dorothy Fay who was an actress. Ritter also had an older brother named Thomas Matthews (also known as Tom).
When did Noah Ritter change his name?
Stella was a beautiful girl who decided to transition into a male and changed her name to Noah Ritter which happened in 2017. Jason and Tyler Ritter both have starred in several opening credits and movies.
Who is John Ritter?
For other people with the same name, see John Ritter (disambiguation). Jonathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor and comedian.
How many children did Ritter have?
Personal life. On October 16, 1977, Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan, with whom he had three children: Jason (who first appeared in the opening credits of Three's Company ), Carly, and Tyler. They divorced on September 1, 1996.
What are the Ritter rules?
In March 2010, the Thoracic Aortic Disease (TAD) Coalition, in partnership with Yasbeck and the John Ritter Foundation (JRF), announced the creation of the "Ritter Rules" which are life-saving reminders to recognize, treat, and prevent thoracic aortic dissection. The purpose of the JRF is to provide accurate information to the general public about the disease and its risk factors, provide support to individuals who have thoracic aortic disease or have lost a loved one to the disease, and improve the identification of individuals at risk for aortic dissections and the treatment of thoracic aortic disease through medical research. Yasbeck worked with the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) to establish the John Ritter Research Program in Aortic and Vascular Diseases with the goal of preventing premature deaths due to aortic dissection by identifying genetic mutations that predispose individuals to thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections.
What was the last movie that Ritter played?
Ritter appeared in over 100 films and television series combined and performed on Broadway, with roles including adult Ben Hanscom in It (1990), Problem Child (1990), Problem Child 2 (1991), a dramatic turn in Sling Blade (1996), and Bad Santa in 2003 (his final live action film, which was dedicated to his memory). In 2002, Don Knotts called Ritter the "greatest physical comedian on the planet". His final roles include voicing the title character on the PBS children's program Clifford the Big Red Dog (2000–2003), for which he received four Daytime Emmy Award nominations, as Paul Hennessy on the ABC sitcom 8 Simple Rules (2002–2003) and an uncredited role for providing the normal voice as Three in Seven Little Monsters (2000–2003).
What award did John Ritter win for Hooperman?
In 1988, John was nominated for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his work on Hooperman. Ritter won a People's Choice Award for this role.
What major did John Ritter go to?
He later changed his major to theater arts and attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts (formerly School of Theatre). Ritter was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at USC. While still in college, Ritter traveled to the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and West Germany to perform in plays. Ritter graduated in 1970.
What happened to Ritter?
On September 11, 2003, Ritter fell ill while rehearsing for 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter on the Walt Disney Studio lot in Burbank, California. He was sweating profusely, vomiting and complained of having pain in the chest. He was taken to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center across the street (the same hospital in which he was born) at 6 p.m. that evening. Ritter was initially treated by emergency room physicians for a heart attack; however, his condition quickly worsened. Physicians then identified that Ritter had an aortic dissection, and he had surgery to repair the dissection, but was pronounced dead at 10:48 pm, six days before his 55th birthday. A private funeral was held on September 15, 2003, in Los Angeles, after which Ritter was interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills Cemetery, in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles.
Who was John Ritter?
John Ritter was an American actor who was probably best known for his role as Jack Tripper in the television sitcom Three's Company. He won both an Emmy and a Golden Globe award in 1984 for his role on the show.
Famous Kin
In addition to his father Tex Ritter, some of John Ritter's closest famous kin are former U.S. Presidents. These include Abraham Lincoln, George W. Bush, and William Howard Taft. He also has kinship to a couple of fellow celebrities, actress Raquel Welch and singer/songwriter Grace Slick.
View entire list of famous kin for John Ritter
Please note: The ancestor reports on this website have been compiled from thousands of different sources, many over 100 years old. These sources are attached to each ancestor so that you can personally judge their reliability.
How many children did Ritter have?
Ritter and his first wife, actress Nancy Morgan had three children together, Jason, Carly and Tyler.
How did John Ritter die?
FAMED actor John Ritter tragically passed away on September 11, 2003, from an aortic dissection - an undetected flaw in his heart.
What episode does Ritter examine his life?
Ritter's episode will "examine his life and influence onscreen and beyond."
When will John Ritter air on Hulu?
Superstar: John Ritter airs on August 25 on ABC at 10pm and will stream on Hulu starting Wednesday.
When did Carly Ritter release her first album?
In addition to acting, Carly is also a musician and released her debut album, Carly Ritter, in 2013.
Where did John Ritter go to high school?
Ritter attended Crossroads High School in Santa Monica and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa from Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York. John and Nancy’s daughter has worked for several non-profit organizations.
How much did the Ritter family settle for?
In the end, the Ritter family reportedly settled their plea against the hospital and several other defendants for an apparent sum of $14 million.
Who Is Carly Ritter’s Husband?
The Princess Of Prairie singer is married to Tim Rappold. They had their wedding on April 22, 2017. Ritter’s husband is from Mettmann Germany. Together Tim and Carly share a daughter, Aria. It though is believed, the pair are parents to two more kids.
When did Carly Ritter release her debut album?
In 2013 s he released her debut album titled Carly Ritter.
Who is Carly Ritter's grandfather?
Carly Ritter (originally, Carly Constance Ritter) was born on March 1, 1982, in Los Angeles, California. Her paternal grandfather (also John’s father), Tex Ritter was a country music singer. Carly’s grandfather is also an inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Who is Carly Ritter?
Carly Ritter is the daughter of the late actor, John Ritter and his former wife Nancy Morgan. Her parents were together for almost a decade. Both Ritter’s father and mother hail from an acting career, though, she herself decided to pivot to music and not just any genre, the traditional and folk ones.
Did the student of Crossroads find the music on her own?
The former student of Crossroads, nonetheless, found the music on her own and later decided to pursue a career out of it.
Who is John Ritter's daughter?
His eldest daughter, Carly Ritter, grew up to become a talented musician, just like her grandfather. Carly Ritter, born on March 1, 1982, is the middle daughter of late actor and comedian John Ritter and his first wife, Nancy Morgan.
Where did Ritter go to high school?
Ritter grew up in Los Angeles and attended high school in Santa Monica. Then, she left for New York, where she attended Vassar College and spent her junior year abroad at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland.
Who is Juliette Commagere's husband?
It was by the end of 2012 that she finally contacted friends and musicians Juliette Commagere and her husband, Joachim Cooder.
Who is Amy Yasbeck's brother?
14, 2002. | Photo: GettyImages. Her eldest and younger brother, Jason and Tyler Ritter, followed their dad’s steps into the acting industry.

Overview
Death
- Ritter experienced discomfort during a rehearsal for the latter on the afternoon of September 11, 2003. At the age of 54, he died later that evening of an Aortic Dissection. Ritters family said, He did not have to die. He died in his daughters 5th birthday in September 2003. Ritter was suffering from Aortic Dissection. The defense attorney said that Ritter would have died no matter what th…
Family
- He was the son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and was the father of actors Jason Ritter and Tyler Ritter. His mothers name was Dorothy Fay who was an actress. Ritter also had an older brother named Thomas Matthews (also known as Tom).
Early life
- Ritter was raised in Burbank, California and was born American As both of his parents were actors, he grew up as an amidst showbiz. He first appeared on TV as a contestant on The Dating Game. Then, he joined an acting class and traveled to Holland, Scotland, Germany, and England to act in plays while still being in college.
Education
- He received his education from Hollywood High School and was a student body president at the school. Later, he enrolled the University of Southern California and took psychology as his major and architecture as his minor with plans to have a career in politics, but, later changed his major to theater arts and then graduated in 1971. Then, he attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts …
Acting career
- Ritter had several stage performances and after his graduation from USC in 1970, he had his first campus revolutionary in the TV series named Dan August starring Burt Reynolds and Norman Fell. In 1971, Ritter had his first debut Disney film The Barefoot Executive. He also made his guest appearances on the television series Hawaii Five-O, M*A*S*H, and in many other as well. He ha…
Television
- He also made guest appearances on TV shows, such as Felicity, Scrubs , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , and in an episode of Law & Order: SVU (2002).
Awards and nominations
- In 1983, He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood Boulevard and also won the Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for the sitcom Threes Company in 1984 and in the same year, he also won the Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Musical/Comedy category for the same series along with the Peoples Choice Aw…
Controversy
- There was a big rumor about John Ritter. In one of John Ritters performances, a viewer alerted nickelodeon that Ritters testicles could be clearly seen in a 17-year old episode of Sitcom. Although Nickelodeon could not identify the specific episode. Other accounts identified it as part of the final-season episode The Charming Stranger. Nickelodeon confirmed this scene.
Appearance
- Ritters weight is about 220 Ibs (100 kg). His height is 511 (1.8m). His hair color is dark brown and his eye color is blue. His shoe size is 10(US).
Overview
Johnathan Southworth Ritter (September 17, 1948 – September 11, 2003) was an American actor. Ritter was a son of the singing cowboy star Tex Ritter and the father of actors Jason and Tyler Ritter. He is known for playing Jack Tripper on the ABC sitcom Three's Company (1977–1984), and received a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the role in 1984. Ritter briefly reprised the …
Early life
Johnathan Southworth Ritter was born on September 17, 1948, at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. Ritter had a birth defect known as a coloboma in his right eye. His father, Tex Ritter, was a singing cowboy and matinee star, and his mother, Dorothy Fay (née Southworth), was an actress. He had an older brother, Thomas "Tom" Ritter. Ritter attended Hollywood High School, where he was student body president. He attended the University of So…
Career
Ritter headlined several stage performances. After his graduation from USC in 1970, his first television acting experience was a campus revolutionary in the television series Dan August starring Burt Reynolds and future Three's Company co-star Norman Fell. Ritter made his film debut in the 1971 Disney film The Barefoot Executive. He made guest appearances on the television series Haw…
Personal life
On October 16, 1977, Ritter married actress Nancy Morgan, with whom he had three children: Jason (who first appeared in the opening credits of Three's Company), Carly, and Tyler. They divorced on September 1, 1996. He married actress Amy Yasbeck on September 18, 1999, at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington, Ohio. They had a child born in 1998. Yasbeck played his love interest in the first two Problem Child movies, though as two different characters. Yasbeck also …
Death
On September 11, 2003, Ritter was rehearsing for 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter on the Walt Disney Studio lot in Burbank, California, when he suddenly fell ill and began to experience problems with his heart. Sweating profusely, vomiting, and complaining of chest pain, he was taken across the street to the Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center (the same hos…
Further reading
• Yasbeck, Amy (2010). With Love and Laughter, John Ritter. New York: Gallery Books. ISBN 978-1-4165-9841-1.
External links
• John Ritter at IMDb
• John Ritter at the TCM Movie Database
• John Ritter at Rotten Tomatoes
• John Ritter at the Internet Broadway Database
Who Was John Ritter?
Early Life
- Jonathan Southworth Ritter was born on September 17, 1948, in Burbank, California. Son of country singer and actor Tex Ritter and actress Dorothy Fay Southworth, Ritter and his older brother, Tom, grew up surrounded by show business. As a child, Ritter had no aspirations of following in his parents' footsteps. He attended Hollywood High School and ...
Early Roles and 'Three's Company'
- From 1968 to 1969, Ritter appeared in several stage performances in Europe, including Love Letters, The Glass Menagerie and As You Like It. Returning stateside, Ritter made guest appearances on such popular TV shows as The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Waltons in 1970, Hawaii Five-O in 1971 and M.A.S.H. in 1973 before landing the role of Jack Tripper in the …
Tragic Death
- Ritter fell ill while filming an episode of 8 Simple Ruleson September 11, 2003, suffering chest pain, nausea and vomiting. He was taken to a hospital across the street from the Burbank studio and died several hours later from a torn aorta. Ritter was 54. In 2004, shortly after his death, Ritter was nominated posthumously for an Emmy for his role in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenag…
Personal Life
- Off-camera, Ritter was devoted to the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Starting in 1977, he and his brother, Tom (who triumphed over the disease), hosted the annual telethon, raising millions of dollars for the organization. Ritter was married to Nancy Morgan from 1977-1996. They had three children: Jason, Tyler and Carly. He married actress Amy Yasbeck in 1999, with whom he had hi…